Dorset

Dorset's population grew between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure and health.

The population reached nearly 370,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Dorset increased by 5.5%, from just over 346,000 to 365,000.

The addition of about 19,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Dorset was home to, on average, 1 person per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Dorset

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Dorset increased by three years, from 44 to 47 years.

This agricultural area had the third-highest average age in the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 14,000 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 9,000.

About 15% of people in Dorset are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and Dorset by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Changes in family structure

Dorset saw the South West's second-largest rise in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents.

In 2011, just under 1 in 11 (8.9%) households in Dorset had only adult children living with their parents, compared with 7.9% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 25% to 24%.

Across the region, only Teignbridge saw a greater rise in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents (from 7.7% to 8.7%).

During this period, Dorset went from having the 22nd-highest to the twelfth-highest percentage of households with only adult children living with their parents out of 309 English local authority areas.

The proportion of households with only adult children living with their parents was higher than across the South West

Percentage of households where a parent lived with their adult children across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in Dorset

The percentage of Dorset residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.0% to 3.8% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 7.7%, while the percentage of Dorset residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 89% to 88%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 3.0% in 2001 to 3.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Dorset, but at a slower rate than across England.

In Dorset, the proportion of private renting increased from 9.7% in 2001 to 14% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion across England increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Across the South West, the share of privately rented homes increased from 11% to 17%.

The rate of social housing in Dorset remained close to 12%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 75% to 72%.

Private renting in Dorset increased by 4 percentage points

Percentage of households in Dorset, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Dorset residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.2% to 4.9% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of Dorset residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 5.1% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Dorset decreased by 3.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Dorset, the South West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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